Easter 7 (2)

John 17:20–26 (NIV84)

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

On Thursday marked the anniversary of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. One theme of ascension is that Jesus is “at the right hand of God” ruling over all things for the benefit of his church. He continues to operate as our prophet, priest, and king.

Prophet: Speaks to us through the Word of God.

King: Rules over all things for us.

Priest: Intercedes for us. Romans 8:33–34 (NIV84)

33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:23–25 (NIV84)

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

When we pray to God “in Jesus’ name” this means that we come to God the Father through Jesus who pleads for us. 1 Timothy 2:1–6 (NIV84)

1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

We pray to God for others and Jesus prays for them and us as our mediator.

During his public ministry, Jesus prayed for people too. His most extensive recorded prayer is a longer prayer of which our text is but a portion. It is known as his sacerdotal prayer — high priestly prayer. It shows what was important for us to Jesus. I say “for us” because in this prayer Jesus is praying for you and me centuries before we were born. “John 17:20 (NIV84)

20 “My prayer is not for them alone [the twelve disciples]. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

What does Jesus assume here? That there would be people who would believe the Gospel message. John writes of that later in his Gospel.

John 20:30–31 (NIV84)

30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The New Testament gives many examples of people who heard the Gospel and put their faith in Jesus. This continues to this day. It is through the Gospel in Word and Sacraments that the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth.

What is Jesus’ prayer for those who believe in him? John 17:21 (NIV84)

21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

This seems impossible — that everyone be one. That is not how our world works, is it? To be one would mean to be in complete agreement with one another and to cooperate for a common goal.

Can you think of a time in history when mankind is recorded as being one in purpose and task as they sought to carry out a goal? Tower of Babel. How did that end? How has that division been observed ever since then?

Genesis 11:1–7 (NIV84)

1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

This is the biblical explanation of how the different language groups came to be. According to the Bible, the creation of different languages caused the people to separate. According to anthropologists, the development of separate cultures accounts for the separate languages. In either case, we can readily see a division among people known as “the language barrier”.

That is not the only way in which people are divided.

Ethnicity (connected with language), political views, gender, religious beliefs, economic, personal tastes in products.

Beer drinkers can’t even decide is Miller Lite tastes great or is less filling.

Pepsi and Coke products can’t be sold in the same restaurant.

Entertainment. Try to chose a movie together. It has been said that a couple will watch a movie together as one enjoys the movie and other (if wise) suffers in silence.

How can we be one when we are surrounded by division?

Jesus is not praying that we be in complete agreement with everyone on everything. (Different word study). He is praying that we be one as the Father and Jesus are one. What does this mean?

Jesus and his Father are one in the mystery of the Trinity. They are also one in their goals and purpose.

John 10:34–39 (NIV84)

34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

Hebrews 10:5–7 (NIV84)

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’ ”

John 6:38–40 (NIV)

38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Call for agreement in doctrine and practice. It is the goal of a confessional church. Non denominational churches seem counter intuitive to me. (define) The seek to be ecumenical but refuse to openly adhere to what they supposedly agree on.

But to be in agreement in doctrine and practice was Jesus’ prayer and the desire of the early Christians.

This was the goal of the early Christian Church.

Acts 4:32–35 (NIV84)

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Romans 12:16 (NIV)

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Illustration on a symphony.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 4:1–8 (NIV)

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

Here are several examples of New Testament appeals for unity from St. Paul

1 Corinthians 1:10–17 (NIV84)

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Illustration of a coordinated body.

How. The unifying factor has to be the word of God.

Early practice: Determine the canon of the Scriptures. Did not accept obvious writing contrary to the Old Testament and accepted New Testament books.

Developed and adhered to the ecumenical creeds.

Strove to not add or subtract of change accepted doctrines.

How do we continue this practice? Confessionalism.

John 17:25–26 (NIV84)

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Made known by having his disciples baptize and teach all things he had commanded men.

This is evidenced in our requirements for membership and our fellowship practices.

Result? People will know who follows Jesus and give glory to God.

John 17:23 (NIV84)

23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.